Free The Extraordinary Adventures Of Alfred Kropp (Alfred Kropp Adventures Book 1) Ebooks Online
Alfred Kropp is just trying to survive high school when his guardian uncle ropes him into a suspicious get-rich-quick scheme that changes his life forever: stealing Excalibur-the legendary sword of King Arthur. But when Alfred unwittingly delivers the sword into the wrong hands, he undertakes an unlikely quest to right his wrong and save the world from imminent destruction. This gripping, fast-paced, often hilarious novel is both a thrilling adventure story and an engaging account of one boy's coming of age. "One of those unforgettable tales, both humorous and poignant, visceral and scary, that stays with you long after you are drained breathless by a captivating read." - Ridley Pearson, co-author of Peter and the Starcatchers "If you've been dying for a fast-paced thriller of a tale... [this] is the book for you." - Jon Scieszka, editor of Guys Write for Guys Read "Like J. K Rowling, first time YA novelist Yancey deftly leavens the heavier plot elements with humour; this story of a big-headed loser is as funny as it is scary. Alfred's adventures are not the only element of this tale that is extraordinary - the reluctant hero is too." - Publishers Weekly, starred review "Yancey has hit one out of the park with this original, engaging, sequel-worthy read."- Kirkus Reviews, starred review "This is an extraordinary adventure. Swordplay, guns, helicopters, fast cars and a striking conclusion make for a headlong, interesting read for teenagers." -curledupkids.com Look out for the other exciting books in this series: The Seal of Solomon and The Thirteenth Skull!
File Size: 1206 KB
Print Length: 360 pages
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens; 1 edition (December 1, 2010)
Publication Date: December 1, 2010
Language: English
ASIN: B004IK8M58
Text-to-Speech: Enabled
X-Ray: Not Enabled
Word Wise: Enabled
Lending: Not Enabled
Enhanced Typesetting: Enabled
Best Sellers Rank: #259,635 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store) #34 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Children's eBooks > Fairy Tales, Folk Tales & Myths > Arthurian #58 in Books > Children's Books > Fairy Tales, Folk Tales & Myths > Arthurian #68 in Books > Teens > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Fantasy > Myths & Legends > Arthurian
Fifteen-year-old, down-on-his-luck Alfred Kropp seems to have drawn the short straw in life. Cursed from birth by his unusually large proportions, including his big head, big hands and big feet, the kids at school call him Frankenstein and everyone thinks he's mentally handicapped, even though he's most definitely not. (His worried mom once even had his IQ tested and confirmed that he was "just a big boy meant for big things.") His shy, awkward personality doesn't help matters, nor does his tendency to hole up in his room listening to music instead of playing sports and pursuing girls like the other boys his age.Alfred's unfortunate luck in the family department hasn't made things any easier either: he never knew his dad, who left before he was even born, and his mom died of cancer when he was just 12. Shuttled between foster homes until being taken in by his well-meaning but clueless Uncle Farrell, poor Alfred has lost just about everything in the world of value to him, except his hilarious sense of humor.Besides being funny, the only thing Alfred seems to excel at is failure --- failing at math, failing at taking his drivers test (twice, to be exact), and failing at being even a second-string player on the school football team (he can't seem to memorize the playbook). But little does he know that his underachieving status is about to undergo a supersized overhaul when his uncle latches onto a dodgy get-rich-quick scheme to retrieve a stolen sword from the office building where he works as a security guard.Against his better judgment, Alfred is roped into being an accessory to the crime, which goes horribly awry and sets a deadly chain of events in motion.
I'm a little disappointed by the reviews on this page because I think they emphasize the wrong things, and make the book sound less appealing than it really is. First things first. Many people will find this book because they liked Yancey's "The Monstrumologist" and the followup "Curse of the Wendigo", and are looking for more Yancey. The Kropp series came out before Yancey hit it big with Monstrumologist. I didn't particularly care for "The Monstrumologist"; I thought it was humorless, and the whole Victorian era America meets hyperviolent Frankenstein vibe was forced and a little overwritten. Well, the Alfred Kropp series is entirely different. It is very funny. It is not so earnestly written. It is more fun. And, it just feels more honest and authentic, (even though fantastical), than the sort of high-concept but shallow Monstrumologist. Second things: this book is being described as white-knuckle non-stop adventure, in the style of the Horowitz Alex Rider books. Well, there is non-stop action, but not in the mindless, silly Alex Rider style. Alex Rider may be the most bland one-dimensional hero in ya action fiction. Alfred Kropp, on the other hand, is an absolute hoot, and a truly engaging personality. And that brings us to the real appeal of this book. Alfred sees himself as a failure and a loser. But, as his first person narrative makes clear, he is insightful, thoughtful, observant, honest, rueful, and very, very funny. Throughout the course of the book the action seems to be designed to put him in the company of noble, interesting, admirable adult characters, from whom he actually learns lessons about bravery, dedication, effort and loyalty.
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